Special Effects Artists and Animators in Washington. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Washington special effects artists and animators fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $100,550 and $174,990, with a median of $133,480.
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Washington: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 34 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $153,100. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 4 | $69,851 |
| Level II — qualified | 8 | $115,606 |
| Level III — experienced | 11 | $177,626 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 11 | $177,050 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Washington. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Corporation | Product Design | 16 | $181,274 |
| Riot Games, Inc. | Rigging Technical Artist II | 4 | $141,045 |
| Electronic Arts Inc. | Experience Designer I | 3 | $154,000 |
| 2K Games, Inc. | Senior Environmental Artist | 1 | $115,523 |
| Bungie, Inc. | Gameplay Animator | 1 | $108,000 |
| BYTEDANCE INC. | Visual Designer - TikTok Monetization | 1 | $143,100 |
| CD PROJEKT RED Inc | Senior Lighting Artist | 1 | $150,000 |
| Magic Fuel Games Inc. | Technical Art Director | 1 | $113,000 |
| Perfect Day Productions Inc. | 3D Artist | 1 | $69,701 |
| Petty Karma Interactive LLC | Lead Environment Artist | 1 | $69,701 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Product Design at Microsoft Corporation$178,260RedmondWage Level IIIDecided Feb 11, 2026I-200-26035-618335
- Experience Designer I at Electronic Arts Inc.$115,690KirklandWage Level IIDecided Feb 6, 2026I-200-26030-610016
- Senior Environmental Artist at 2K Games, Inc.$115,523RedmondWage Level IIDecided Jan 12, 2026I-200-26005-534812
- Manager, Animation Art at Riot Games, Inc.$177,050Mercer IslandWage Level IVDecided Aug 20, 2025I-200-25225-239484
- Product Design at Microsoft Corporation$193,563RedmondWage Level IVDecided Jul 31, 2025I-200-25205-196792
- Product Design at Microsoft Corporation$193,563RedmondWage Level IVDecided Jul 15, 2025I-200-25189-157718
- 3D Artist at Perfect Day Productions Inc.$69,701RedmondWage Level IDecided Jun 20, 2025I-200-25163-087529
- Rigging Technical Artist II at Riot Games, Inc.$141,045Mercer IslandWage Level IVDecided Jun 13, 2025I-200-25158-065410
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Special Effects Artists and Animators pay by experience level in Washington
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Special Effects Artists and Animators in Washington, by industry
Median offered wage across 34 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $154,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | Microsoft Corporation | 33 | $154,000 |
| Media and entertainment | The Artery VFX, Inc. | 1 | $70,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Washington over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 5.0 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Communications and Media
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Visualization
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
- 02
Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
- 03
Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
- 04
Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
- 05
Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
- 06
Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
- 07
Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows.
- 08
Create and install special effects as required by the script, mixing chemicals and fabricating needed parts from wood, metal, plaster, and clay.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for special effects artists and animators in major Washington metropolitan areas.
- Seattle$134,120
Compare Special Effects Artists and Animators pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Washington with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Washington?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Washington is $133,480.
- How does Washington compare to the national median for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
- The Washington median is +32.2% versus the BLS national figure of $100,965.
- What is the salary range for Special Effects Artists and Animators in Washington?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,270 and the 90th-percentile at $209,400, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Special Effects Artists and Animators a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Special Effects Artists and Animators?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.